Essential tips to successfully dry and preserve fresh cannabis buds
The process of growing cannabis does not stop at harvest time. Proper drying and preservation of the fresh cannabis crop is essential to prevent mould contamination. These procedures will result in better tasting buds and a superior high.
What is the difference between drying and preservation?
Drying, as the name suggests, involves drying fresh buds so that they contain less moisture and can be smoked or vaped properly. Preservation, on the other hand, involves storing the buds in closed containers for at least two weeks. This helps the buds develop flavour and aroma as they mature.
Why do I have to dry and preserve cannabis?
Drying cannabis flowers has several important functions that enhance the quality and shelf life of the final product.
Freshly harvested cannabis buds contain a significant amount of moisture, which you need to get rid of before smoking them. Why? Firstly because smoking fresh buds gives a harsh sensation, without much flavour - in the happy event that you actually manage to light the buds. Removing the moisture helps reduce the harshness and brings out the terpene profile. Second, mushrooms thrive in a dark, moist environment. If you dry your flowers properly, you'll drastically reduce the chances of mould getting to your stock.
By placing buds one by one on a drying rack - or hanging whole branches in a drying room - you will reduce the water content of your buds by 10-15%. This process removes water from the outer layers of each flower, but you'll need to conserve your reserves to remove moisture from inside the buds.
Preservation is very important as it helps you protect your herb so it can be stored for long periods of time - while retaining its unique flavour and maximising potency. When harvested, buds contain excess sugars and starches, substances that end up being attacked by bacteria and enzymes in the air. By preserving your buds, you encourage the breakdown of these nutrients, ensuring a smoother, better tasting smoke.
What is the best way to mow my weed?
There are two main methods of cutting buds during harvest. Wet pruning involves cutting the buds immediately after harvesting. On the other hand, dry pruning involves cutting the buds after drying and before storage. Our recommendation is to cut the buds when they are still wet, as it is easier, more accurate and you don't risk losing resin, as you do when handling dry buds. That said, dry pruning can make your product look exceptionally neat, worthy of a visible place on the shelf.
How do I dry my buds after harvesting and pruning?
In order for the buds to dry evenly, you'll need to make sure you have good air circulation so they can come into direct contact with the buds. The best way to do this is to hang cut branches somewhere or use wire supports if you are working with individual buds or small branches. If you choose to use racks, keep in mind that you will need to turn the buds regularly to make sure they don't flatten on one side.
What is the humidity level I need to reach when drying cannabis?
For best results, you should hang or place cut buds in a dark room with good air circulation and a constant humidity of about 45-55%.
How long does it take to completely dry cannabis?
There are many factors that affect the drying time of cannabis.
The size of the buds will obviously affect the drying time, as larger, denser buds will take longer than smaller ones. How you choose to cut your plants will also be a factor. Remember that plant branches contain the most water, so if you hang large branches, they will dry out more slowly than smaller branches or individual buds. Finally, the temperature, humidity and airflow in your drying space will have a big impact on the time you have to allocate to drying the grass.
In general, the drying stage takes about 7-12 days, depending on the above factors. During this time, the buds will lose a lot of water, which will result in shrinkage and many lost grams.
How do I know when my buds are completely dry and ready to preserve?
You can do a simple test to find out if the buds are dry: just take a small branch and try bending it. If it breaks, the buds are dry and you can proceed with the preservation process. If it bends, your buds need more time to dry.
How do I preserve my buds?
If you cut the buds when they were still wet, you can move on to the preserving stage as soon as your buds have dried. On the other hand, if you choose dry pruning, you will need to do this before moving on to the conservation stage.
Once your buds are dried and trimmed, place them in large, wide-mouthed jars (Mason jars or jam jars are great). Fill each jar ¾ full so you have room for extra air and to reduce the risk of mold destroying your crop. Once you've filled the jars, store them in a dry, dark environment (for example, in a kitchen cupboard or drawer) and check your buds at least once a day for two weeks.
During these checks, keep the jars open to allow air exchange and inspect each bud individually so you can spot any signs of mould. If you find an infected bud, remove it from the jar immediately to avoid spreading the fungus.
This process of constantly checking the buds will remove excess moisture from the jars and allow fresh air to reach the buds. After about two weeks, you can enjoy your harvested grass, but the longer you wait, the better.
How long does the preservation process take?
Most growers preserve their grass for about a month; however, if you preserve your buds for 4-8 weeks you will get the most intense aroma and best taste.
